Phil Collins appears at Buckingham Palace

Phil Collins was among guests at Buckingham Palace on May 14 for a garden party marking the 50th anniversary of The King’s Trust, according to the royal court circular and coverage published on May 19. The former Genesis frontman appeared with his ex-wife Jill Collins in what multiple outlets described as a rare public appearance. King Charles, the charity’s founding president, hosted the afternoon event in the palace garden. The appearance drew added notice after Collins discussed his health problems publicly earlier this year. ### When did the Buckingham Palace appearance actually happen? The royal court circular says King Charles “gave an Afternoon Party in the garden of Buckingham Palace” on May 14 to mark the 50th anniversary of The King’s Trust. The official record places the event at Buckingham Palace and lists it as part of the King’s engagements that day. People magazine reported on May 19 that Collins attended the celebration with Jill Collins, while Rod Stewart attended with his wife Penny Lancaster. A photo from the event circulated in entertainment coverage the same day. ### Why was Phil Collins there? Juliens Auctions says Collins has been involved with The King’s Trust for more than 40 years and that 2026 marks 40 years since he became the charity’s first ambassador and later a trustee. (royal.uk) The auction house, which is preparing a benefit sale tied to the anniversary, quoted Collins as saying he was “very proud” to have been closely involved with the Trust for more than four decades. (people.com) The royal family’s anniversary page says the charity was founded in 1976 by the then Prince of Wales and has helped more than 1.3 million young people in the UK. The palace page says the Trust supports young people from disadvantaged communities with confidence, skills and pathways to “live, learn and earn.” ### Why did the sighting attract so much attention? (juliensauctions.com) Collins, 75, has made relatively few public appearances in recent years as he has dealt with long-running health problems. Variety reported in January that Collins said in a BBC Two interview that he had undergone five knee operations, had kidney problems linked to drinking, and now walks with assistance. (royal.uk) In that January interview, Collins said he had a “24 hour live-in nurse” to help manage his medication and described his condition as “an ongoing thing,” according to Variety. The same report said his health issues had already contributed to his retirement from performing after Genesis’ final tour in 2022. (variety.com) ### Was this part of a broader 50th-anniversary program? The royal family said on May 18 that the Buckingham Palace garden party was one element of a broader anniversary program for The King’s Trust. The palace also highlighted a New York global gala and a Royal Albert Hall celebration as part of the charity’s 50-year campaign. King Charles has longstanding ties to the organization because he founded it in 1976 using his Navy severance pay of 7,600 pounds, according to the palace’s anniversary history. (variety.com) The charity later expanded internationally and now operates in 20 countries, the same page says. ### What comes next for Collins and the charity? Juliens Auctions says “The King’s Trust 50th Anniversary Auction Featuring The Phil Collins Archive” is scheduled for Nov. 19, 2026, in London, with proceeds going to the charity. (royal.uk) The auction house says the sale will include items drawn from Phil and Jill Collins’ personal archive. Jill Collins said in materials for that sale that she proposed the auction late last year and called the anniversary “the ideal moment.” The auction is the next named public event linking Collins directly to The King’s Trust’s 50th-anniversary campaign. (royal.uk) (juliensauctions.com)